Oak Island cleaning up town through ordinance enforcement

Published: Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 6:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 6:25 p.m.

A neighbor's remodeling project left a toilet in a yard near Oak island Mayor Betty Wallace's house.

Facts

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To report a possible ordinance violation call Oak Island Town Hall at 201-8001 or email Josh Crook at jcrook@ci.oak-island.nc.us. Possible violations include trash and debris, discarded furniture, uncut grass and weeds as well as junked cars and boats.

After several days, someone painted on the toilet in bold black letters: "37th Street rest stop."

While Wallace chuckles about the story, the unkempt yards and trash piles dotted throughout the town have created plenty of distress for town officials in recent years.

In an effort to relieve the blight, new Town Manager Steve Foster and the code enforcement staff have stepped up enforcement of town ordinances. Their efforts have helped prompt violators to clear their debris while issuing violations to others.

"I am happy to see this happen," said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Medlin. "Some of the bad eyesores have been already cleaned up. It had to happen."

According to Foster, code enforcement has been a problem for years, stemming from lax enforcement and lack of manpower. Officials also said many residents continuing to pile trash in their yards though the regular pickup service of such items ended a few years ago.

Neva Cardwell, a real estate broker and member of the Oak Island Business & Tourism Advisory Commission, said visitors notice the mess.

"It's left a bad impression that is associated with a lack of caring," said Cardwell. "But it takes manpower to enforce."

And a good plan, Foster said.

For the cleanup called, officials split the town into six districts, enabling more focus on certain areas. Code enforcement officers visited many houses to speak with residents, and the project has been successful, Foster said.

Since the start of the project, about 40 residents have cleaned up their yards. Only about 15 notices of violation had to be mailed, said Josh Crook, inspection coordinator.

He said property owners have up to 13 days before the town starts issuing a $50-a-day fine. After 10 more days have passed, a $250-a-day fine is levied for 10 more days.

"After about 33 days, that's $3000," said Crook. "We will come clean up the property and put a lien on theproperty, garnish tax returns or whatever" to reimburse the town's costs.

That can rub residents the wrong way. One caller left a death threat to Crook about placing a lien on the person's property.

"It's a part of it, and that's how it goes," he said. "People aren't used to having to deal with the enforcement."

<p>A neighbor's remodeling project left a toilet in a yard near Oak island Mayor Betty Wallace's house.</p><p>After several days, someone painted on the toilet in bold black letters: "37th Street rest stop."</p><p>While Wallace chuckles about the story, the unkempt yards and trash piles dotted throughout the town have created plenty of distress for town officials in recent years.</p><p>In an effort to relieve the blight, new Town Manager Steve Foster and the code enforcement staff have stepped up enforcement of town ordinances. Their efforts have helped prompt violators to clear their debris while issuing violations to others.</p><p>"I am happy to see this happen," said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Medlin. "Some of the bad eyesores have been already cleaned up. It had to happen."</p><p>According to Foster, code enforcement has been a problem for years, stemming from lax enforcement and lack of manpower. Officials also said many residents continuing to pile trash in their yards though the regular pickup service of such items ended a few years ago.</p><p>Neva Cardwell, a real estate broker and member of the Oak Island Business & Tourism Advisory Commission, said visitors notice the mess.</p><p>"It's left a bad impression that is associated with a lack of caring," said Cardwell. "But it takes manpower to enforce."</p><p>And a good plan, Foster said.</p><p>For the cleanup called, officials split the town into six districts, enabling more focus on certain areas. Code enforcement officers visited many houses to speak with residents, and the project has been successful, Foster said. </p><p>Since the start of the project, about 40 residents have cleaned up their yards. Only about 15 notices of violation had to be mailed, said Josh Crook, inspection coordinator.</p><p>He said property owners have up to 13 days before the town starts issuing a $50-a-day fine. After 10 more days have passed, a $250-a-day fine is levied for 10 more days. </p><p>"After about 33 days, that's $3000," said Crook. "We will come clean up the property and put a lien on theproperty, garnish tax returns or whatever" to reimburse the town's costs.</p><p>That can rub residents the wrong way. One caller left a death threat to Crook about placing a lien on the person's property.</p><p>"It's a part of it, and that's how it goes," he said. "People aren't used to having to deal with the enforcement."</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</p>